French Green Leaf is a cultivated purslane (Portulaca oleracea) grown for its dark green, succulent leaves on thin stems and a notably upright habit, unlike the sprawling wild weed. Its flavor is milder than wild purslane, crunchy and juicy, good raw in salads or lightly cooked. A heat-loving, cold-intolerant annual, it is direct-sown shallowly once soil warms and picked cut-and-come-again through summer. Unlike the wild form, this cultivated type does not become an invasive garden weed.
Flavor Profile
Milder than wild purslane; crunchy and succulent, good raw in salads or lightly cooked.
Visual Characteristics
Darker green leaves and thinner stems than the golden types, on a very upright plant with succulent leaves and stems.
Growing Tips
Heat-loving and cold-intolerant; direct sow shallowly when soil warms (roughly May-August) about 4-6 inches apart, or transplant late spring through late summer; make final sowings at least 8 weeks before first frost. Cut for cut-and-come-again harvest all summer. Cultivated purslane does not become an invasive garden weed like the wild form.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.